Which painkillers are used after the surgery?
August 14, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Felix Herrmann
Dear Doctor,
My name is Helma Köhler and I have a surgery coming up soon, during which general anesthesia will be administered. I am concerned about the pain that may occur after the surgery and wonder which pain medications are typically used in such cases.
I have had surgeries before and am aware that pain medication is an important part of postoperative care. However, I have also heard of cases where patients struggled with severe pain even though they were taking pain medication. Therefore, I would like to learn more about which pain medications are most commonly used after a surgery and how effective they are in relieving pain.
I understand that each patient responds differently to pain medication and that individual dosage plays a role. However, I would like to get an overview of which pain medications are usually prescribed after a surgery and what alternatives are available if a specific medication is not effective for me.
I want to prepare as best as possible for the time after the surgery and ensure that I am well taken care of and experience as little pain as possible. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate your assessment and recommendations on which pain medications would be most suitable in my case.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Best regards,
Helma Köhler
Dear Mrs. Köhler,
Thank you for your question regarding pain medication after surgery under general anesthesia. It is understandable that you are concerned about potential pain after the procedure and want to be prepared. I will be happy to explain in detail which pain medications are commonly used after surgery and how they work in pain relief.
After surgery, it is important to effectively manage the patient's pain to allow for a speedy recovery. The choice of pain medications depends on various factors such as the type of surgery, the individual pain sensitivity of the patient, and any pre-existing conditions. Opioid painkillers such as Morphine or Tramadol are often used after surgery. These medications work by targeting specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block pain signals.
In addition to opioid painkillers, non-opioid pain medications such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can be used to treat mild to moderate pain. These medications have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, but do not have the same strong effects as opioid painkillers. They are often prescribed in combination with opioid painkillers to optimize pain relief.
However, there may be cases where a certain pain medication is not sufficiently effective for you or causes unwanted side effects. In such instances, there are various alternatives that can be discussed with your treating physician. For example, other opioid or non-opioid painkillers can be tried, or alternative pain therapies such as physiotherapy or acupuncture may be considered.
It is important to discuss your concerns and worries regarding pain management after surgery with your treating physician. They can provide you with personalized recommendations and work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and I am available to assist with any further questions. I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery and a speedy recovery.
Best regards,
Felix Herrmann
